IELTS Reading: Lessons, Information & Tips 5. Developing vocabulary.
5. Developing vocabulary. This is one of the key reasons why students don’t
Essential Tips These IELTS reading tips below are to help you understand the
techniques needed for the IELTS reading test:
A. How to improve your score  paraphrases and also any problems you had finding the answer. You can do
B. TRUE FALSE NOT GIVEN TIPS  this by learning vocabulary from practice reading passages.
C. Tips: Comprehension and Strategy
D. Tips: Reading Question Types
E. How I got Band Score 9 in IELTS Reading
For Practice Lessons for Reading Skills go to: http://ieltsliz.com/ielts-
reading-lessons-information-and-tips/
A. IELTS Reading Tips: How to Increase your Score
1. Develop skills of each type of question in reading. There are around 14
different types of questions and you need to find a strategy to tackle each
one. Some question types have answers that come in order and others do
not. This type of information will help you not only save time but also locate
the right answers.
2. Skimming and Scanning. You should be able to skim and scan passages
to do well in IELTS. Skimming is reading a passage to get a general idea of
the content. This is recommended to do before you tackle the questions. All
types of questions, except one, are given after the passage because it is
recommended to skim read the passage before the questions. This does not
mean you try to understand the passage. It’s just a chance to get a sense of
the topic and layout. You should skim read the full passage in 2 to 3 minutes
– not longer. At the same time, you should underline any key words you see.
The only types of questions which come before the passage is matching
headings, for those, you don’t need to read the passage first. Scanning is
your ability to locate information quickly and has no relation to
comprehension of the passage.
3. Develop your speed reading skills. This test has a strict time limit which
will really challenge your ability to complete the questions in time. You must
develop speed reading skills to be able to find your answers quickly. This
means you must be able to scan the passage quickly to locate information.
4. Don’t try to understand the full passage. Your task is to locate answers
only. Most questions test your ability to locate specific information given to
you and then to comprehend the sentence or sentences which contain that
information. There are only two types of questions which will require a more
detailed understand of the whole passage – matching headings and
choosing a title. All other questions are based on locating information.
get the score they need. Learn vocabulary is not just about learning the
meaning of a word, it is about learning when you can and can’t use a word. It
is also about what collocations can be used with words, for example verbs
and match nouns.  You should write words lists that include common
6. Key words. Each question will have key words to help you locate the
information in the passage and to spot the right answer. You should learn to
spot key words and use them correctly. You should also check whether the
key words can be paraphrased. You will soon learn to use key words
correctly when you review your answers in practice reading lessons. Some
key words are obvious, for instance names, dates, numbers, places etc.
Other key words are more subtle.
7. Grammar. Question types such as summary completion and sentence
completion require that the sentence is grammatically correct when you have
put the answer in. This means that grammar can help you to spot the right
answer. Many students post question on this blog asking me why one
answer is correct and the other is not – the reason is often grammar related.
You will see this when you do practice reading lessons.
8. Practice makes perfect. Unless you practice regularly, you won’t improve.
9. Getting used to difficult passages. If you have time before your test, you
should be widening your reading skills and familiarity of complicated
passages on a range of topics.  Read the BBC news, The New Scientist, The
Economist etc.
10. IELTS Practice Reading Tests. You can find practice tests online for free.
You should use IELTS practice reading tests for two purposes:
1. To develop your skills, practice different types of questions and
enhance your vocabulary
2. To test yourself under exam conditions to check your score and check
if you have developed or no
11. Know your weaknesses. Unless you know your weaknesses, you won’t
know how to improve. You must check the reasons why you are getting your
answers wrong or right. If you are getting answers wrong due to your
understanding of the passage, then you know you must improve your
English language. If you are getting your answers wrong because you
couldn’t find the information or you didn’t understand the question or you ran
out of time, then the problem is your technique and strategies. Spend time
reviewing your performance.
12. Be realistic. If your level of English is not strong, don’t expect to get band
score 7.
13. Plan your training for IELTS reading. You should spend time
1. developing vocabulary and paraphrasing limitation
2. practicing particular question types
3. developing speed in locating information
 4. doing practice test not under exam conditions so you can work on
skills
5. doing practice tests under exam conditions to test your score and
improvement
14. You must prepare. Like all tests, you need to prepare. Even native
speakers need to prepare by learning about the different types of questions
and developing the right skills.
B. IELTS Reading Essential Tips:
Understanding True/ False/ Not Given Questions
You will be given statements containing information. You must decide if the
information in the statement is True, False or Not Given according to the
information in the reading passage.
1. True: You can find this information in the passage and it agrees with the
statement.
2. False: The passage and statement have different information. The
passage shows that the statement is wrong.
3. Not Given: This means you can’t find all the information in the passage.
Difficulties with True False & Not Given
1. Paraphrasing. You must be prepared for the words in the statement to be
paraphrased in the passage. This means you really need to know your
vocabulary.
2. You are looking for meaning. Many students just try to match words but you
actually need to match meaning and check the content of the information
given. Sometimes the same words are used but the meaning is not the same
– this is one common difficulty with choosing the right answer.
3. Not Given and False (No)
1. Not Given means the entire statement is not given in the passage.
Maybe part of the statement is given but not the whole statement.
Watch out for that!! Try to find the whole meaning in the passage.
2. False means the passage contradicts the statement. Don’t forget you
are not just looking for an opposite meaning, you are also looking for
contradicting information.
True False Not Given Tips
Spend time analysing the statement in the question before you try to find the
answer
1. Many words will be paraphrased so watch out for that (for example, work =
employment / changing = altering)
2. Don’t match just key words, you are aiming to match meaning. Some of the
key words might be the same in the passage but it doesn’t mean the answer
is true or yes.
3. The meaning of false or no is that the statement contradicts the claims or
information in the passage. This means the statement gives one meaning
but the passage gives another meaning – therefore the statement is FALSE.
4. Not Given means that the whole meaning of the statement is not in the
passage. Some key words might be found but not the full meaning of the
statement.
5. You can write T instead of True on your answer sheet but make sure your
handwriting is clear.
6. The answers follow the order of information in the passage for these
questions. Other types of reading questions might not have answers that
come in order.
7. Learn common challenges or problems that you have in reading. Make a list
of paraphrases you have struggled with.
C. IELTS Reading Tips: Strategies & Comprehension
Retention
How do I remember everything I have read?
The answer is – you don’t. IELTS reading is not about remembering what you have
read or what each paragraph contains.
Comprehension
How can I understand everything if the passage is long and difficult?
The answer is – you don’t. IELTS reading is not about understanding everything. It
is about locating answers.
IELTS Reading Tips
When you first get your reading passage, you should skim read it. This means you
cast your eyes over the passage to get to know the general topic and content as
well as to see the general layout of the passage. This should take about 2 minutes.
You are not aiming to understand it, you just want to see what the passage is
about before you tackle the questions.
After you skim read the passage, you go straight to the questions. Pay attention to
what type of question type it is and remember your techniques and tips for that
particular question type. Find a key word or information in the question to help you
locate the answer. You scan the passage by casting your eyes over the words to
locate the key information from the question. This should be done with speed to
spot a word or piece of information rather than understand each sentence. Once
you locate the place in the passage that contains the answer, you read the
sentences before and after to find your answer. This means you only need to
understand those few sentences.  Then you move to the next question and do the
same. You don’t need to understand the whole passage at all.
Reading Techniques & Strategies
1. skim the passage (read quickly to get general content and layout)
2. read the questions
3. identify the type of question
4. remember your techniques and tips for that question type
5. find a key word or information in the question to help you locate the answer
in the passage
6. scan the passage by passing your eyes over the paragraphs to find the key
word or information from the question
7. when you find the location, read the sentences before and after
8. always read around the answer to check other information
9. try to understand the few sentences around the location of the answer
10. when you find the answer, move to the next question
11. don’t spend too long trying to find one answer
12. remember that each answer is only worth one point
D. IELTS Reading Question Types: Information & Tips
There are 14 different types of questions that you can be given. In IELTS reading,
you will have only one hour to read 3 passages and answer 40 questions. These
questions are always divided into different types of questions which you must
complete. Each passage usually has about 3 or 4 different types of questions to
answer.
In order to prepare well for your test, you must make sure that you practice each
type of question. Below is a list of the question types you can get in IELTS reading
with information and tips to help you.
1. Matching Headings Questions
 Task: Choose a heading from the list which matches a section or paragraph
in the passage
 Skills:
 understanding the aim of a section
 identifying the difference between a main idea and supporting points
 understanding aims of paragraphs and sections
 understanding general content of paragraphs or sections
 Tips
 read the headings before you read the passage
 there are often more headings than you need
 analyse the headings before trying to match them to sections or
paragraphs
 answers are often numerals (i, ii, iii, iv etc) – read instructions carefully to
check
 answers do not come in order
2. True False Not Given / Yes No Not Given Questions
 Task: Decide if the information or writer’s opinion in the question statements
can be found in the passage
 Skills:
 identifying specific information in the passage
 scanning and understanding information (T/F/NG questions)
 understanding the opinions of the writer (Y/N/NG questions)
 Tips
 Understand the meaning of each answer
 yes / true = the same information is found in the passage
 no / false = the opposite information is found in the passage
 not given = the information is not found in the passage
 paraphrase the statements before trying to locate the answers
 answers come in order
3. Matching Paragraph Information Questions
 Task: Matching the information given in the question with information found in
one of the paragraphs in the passage.
 Skills:
 identifying specific information
 scanning for information
  Tips:
 paraphrase the information in the question
 find the information in the passage
  answers do not come in order  paraphrase the information in the question and options
 the answer is often a letter (A, D, C, D…) – read instructions carefully to  locate the precise information in the passage
check  answers come in order
 not all paragraphs may be used  answers are usually letters (A,B,C or D) – read the instructions carefully
to check
4. Summary Completion Question
 Task: Completing a summary by filling in the gaps using words from the 7. List Selection
passage or words given in a box
 Skills:  Task: Choose the correct option from a list of words, information or names.
 scanning for specific information in the passage This differs from multiple choice because the questions all relate to only one
 understanding ideas and supporting points long list of possible answers.
 selecting appropriate words  Skills:
 Tips:  scanning for information
 identify the type of word needed for each gap (noun/verb/adjective etc)  understanding information in the passage
 locate the information in the passage in order to choose the right word  identifying ideas relating to others
 if you choose words from the passage, check how many words can be  Tips:
used for each answer  read through the list and prepare paraphrases
 answers usually come in order  dead through the questions and identify key words
 the summary must be grammatically correct which can help you in  locate the information in the passage
choosing the right word for the gap  answers come in order
 answers are usually letters (A-G) – read the instructions carefully to
check
5. Sentence Completion Questions
 Task: Completing sentences by filling in the gap with words from the passage 8. Choosing a Title
 Skills:
 scanning for specific information  Task: Choosing the most appropriate title from a list
 selecting appropriate words  Skills:
 understanding information in the passage  identifying aims of a passage
 Tips:  distinguishing between detail and main aims
 identify the type of word needed for each gap (noun/verb/adjective etc)  Tips
 locate the information in the passage in order to choose the right word  look at the differences between the possible titles
 the sentences must be grammatically correct which can help you in  pay attention to the opening paragraphs and closing paragraphs of the
choosing the right word for the gap passage
 check how many words can be used for each answer  don’t too much time on this question – it is only worth one point
 answers usually come in order
9. Categorisation Questions
6. Multiple Choice Questions
 Task: Decide which category the information belongs to from a list.
 Task: Choose the correct answer to a question or the correct ending to a  Skills:
sentence from usually 3 or 4 possible options.  locating information in the passage
 Skills:  categorising information
 scanning for specific Information  Tips:
 understanding information in the passage  find information in the passage
 Tips:
  decide which category the information belongs to  scan the passage for information
  look out for paraphrases  answers do not always come in order
 answers come in order  use the direction of the arrows and boxes to follow the order of
information in the chart
 select the appropriate words from the passage
10. Matching Sentence Endings  check the number of words that can be used for each answer
 Task: Completing sentences by matching the start of the sentence with the
correct ending given in a list.
 Skills: 13. Diagram Completion Questions
 locating information in the passage
 Task: Labelling a diagram
 understanding information
 Skills:
 Tips:
 locating information in the passage
 read through the sentences and then read through the possible endings
 relating the information to the diagram
 prepare paraphrases
 choosing appropriate words
 find information in the passage
 Tips
 choose the best ending to match the information in the passage
 identify the type of word needed for the answer (noun / verb etc)
 the completed sentence must be grammatically correct
 find the information in the passage
 sentence beginnings follow the order of information the passage
 the information is usually located in one specific paragraph or two in the
 answers are usually letters (A-G) – read instructions carefully to check
passage
 there are usually more endings given than you need
 check how many words you can use for the answer
 answer do not always come in order
11. Table Completion
 Task: Completing the table using the correct word from the passage. 14. Short Answer Questions
 Skills:
 locating specific information in the passage  Task: Answering questions regarding details in the passage.
 choosing appropriate words  Skills:
 understanding details  locating information in the passage
 Tips:  understanding detail and specific information
 read the column headings in the table  Tips:
 identify the type of word needed for each part of the table  identify the type of words you need for each answer (noun,verb etc)
 scan the passage for information  paraphrase vocabulary in the questions
 answers are usually located in a specific part of the passage  scan the passage to locate information
 check how many words you can use for the answer  check how many words you can use for the answers
 answers come in order
12. Flow Chart Completion Questions
 Task: Completing the flow chart using the correct words from the passage. E. For more tips, visit: http://ieltsliz.com/how-i-scored-9-in-ielts-reading/
 Skills:
 locating specific information in the passage
 choosing appropriate words
 understanding details and order of information
 Tips:
 identify the type of word needed for each part of the flow chart